Help!! What is this worm?

[Garrett J]

Hi everyone! 
 

I recently added some new plants to an aquarium about 3 weeks ago and just today noticed a small worm down in the substrate. It’s not a detritus worm, and I don’t think it’s planaria unless it’s a different form of planaria that isn’t super common. There are shrimp and ottocinclus in the tank, as well as a tiny Borneo sucker. 5 gallons, no heater, hard water, 7.6 pH. 
 

Please help me identify! I have some burried female shrimps that are ready to release their eggs soon and want to make sure the babies will not be at risk! 
 

I have a video but can’t post it here. If you want it please reach out and we can get in contact directly! 

Edited September 9, 2022 by Garrett J
Clarified location of the worm in photo.

[MAC]

If I had to guess I'd say it's some sort of midge larva. Could've come in as an egg on plants or if you have an open top tank. 

Ive never dealt with one in a shrimp tank and have no idea whether or not it would harm shrimp. 

[TOtrees]

LOVE THIS!!!
Over the years I've gotten reasonably good at taking a fairly strong entomology background, and using google images search terms, to return possible id's on fun unknowns. This one took a bit of digging (sorry work), but I would put good odds you have a horse fly larvae (or horse fly relative larvae). 

Like mosquitoes, blackflies, bloodworms, midges, flies and may others, these are all in the True Flies insect order, aka Diptera. True flies all have 2 wings, never 4 (di = 2 and ptera = wing). And all have development that includes a pupal stage in between the larval and adult forms (metamorphosis!!). Many dipterans have fully aquatic larval stages. Horse flies and their ilk are in the family Tabanidae. They're the ones that bite like trucks right through your clothes. They usually have big rainbow colored eyes.  Like blackflies, they have mouthparts that macerate and chew to draw blood, while mosquitoes pierce and suck. Horse flies (and their smaller and more colorful cousins deerflies) are usually found near water, near the shore. And they're fast... never mind running away, they'll chase you down on your bicycle!

I'm a big fan of live and let live. But here, I say kill it with fire!!! 😜

 

[Garrett J]

On 9/9/2022 at 1:38 PM, TOtrees said:

LOVE THIS!!!
Over the years I've gotten reasonably good at taking a fairly strong entomology background, and using google images search terms, to return possible id's on fun unknowns. This one took a bit of digging (sorry work), but I would put good odds you have a horse fly larvae (or horse fly relative larvae). 

Like mosquitoes, blackflies, bloodworms, midges, flies and may others, these are all in the True Flies insect order, aka Diptera. True flies all have 2 wings, never 4 (di = 2 and ptera = wing). And all have development that includes a pupal stage in between the larval and adult forms (metamorphosis!!). Many dipterans have fully aquatic larval stages. Horse flies and their ilk are in the family Tabanidae. They're the ones that bite like trucks right through your clothes. They usually have big rainbow colored eyes.  Like blackflies, they have mouthparts that macerate and chew to draw blood, while mosquitoes pierce and suck. Horse flies (and their smaller and more colorful cousins deerflies) are usually found near water, near the shore. And they're fast... never mind running away, they'll chase you down on your bicycle!

I'm a big fan of live and let live. But here, I say kill it with fire!!! 😜

 

Thank you for the response, I really appreciate it and have learned a ton! I didn’t have a clue! 

Should I be concerned for the baby shrimps? How might I eliminate the larva? 

Thanks again!! 

[TOtrees]

On 9/9/2022 at 3:56 PM, Garrett J said:

How might I eliminate the larva?

Puffer fish. 🤣

In seriousness… I have no idea if they are predatory or not. I think your situation is kind of unique, I mean it’s not one I’ve come across in my 5 years, and I read quite a lot of online content. It may be that technically they are predators, but even if that is true I don’t think you’re likely to lose many (or any) shrimp babies.
If you happen to see it again and can grab it with tweezers, tongs or a turkey baster go for it. Otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it.
Until it hatches out and hunts you down.

[Garrett J]

Okay sounds good to me 😂 I do have some pea puffers in another aquarium… jk that would be a very expensive feast 😂 I’m going to watch it and just see what happens! Normally I just let stuff like this play out and not worry, but it’s my wife’s first tank and I want it to be a good experience ya know? Anyway, thank you guys for the input! I’ll try and update later for anyone else who comes across something similar.